Comic-Con 2026: Full Schedule

12:30pm PDT

Thursday July 23, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT

For Star Trek's 60th anniversary, this panel explores the creative lineage that shaped the final frontier and the legacy it created in return. From early influences like Forbidden Planet and mid-century science fiction to the groundbreaking ideas explored by Gene Roddenberry and the countless films and series inspired by Trek, the panel maps the franchise's place in pop culture history. Featuring creators, historians, and surprise guests, this conversation highlights the ideas, ethics, and imagination that continue to define Star Trek across generations. Panelists include Tom Costantino (co-producer/editor, The Orville), Jennifer Muro (co-producer/writer, Star Trek Prodigy), and Larry Nemecek (author of Star Trek: The Next Generation Companion), moderated by John Champion (Roddenberry Podcasts).

Thursday July 23, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 24ABC

U: Updated, Anniversaries, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television | 1: Programs, Anniversaries, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

5:30pm PDT

Aliens 40: The 40th Anniversary of One of the Best Sequels Ever Made!

Thursday July 23, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT

Room 6A

The 40th anniversary of Aliens (1986) is marked with a panel honoring James Cameron's landmark sequel and its lasting impact on sci-fi action and pop culture. Cast members Jenette Goldstein, Mark Rolston, and Ricco Ross share behind-the-scenes stories, discuss groundbreaking effects, and trace Ripley's evolution into an action icon. Moderated by Mark Atkinson (actor, filmmaker), the session includes rare anecdotes, a Q&A, and retrospective insights.

Thursday July 23, 2026 5:30pm - 6:30pm PDT
Room 6A

U: Updated, Action/Adventure, Anniversaries, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Tributes | 1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Anniversaries, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Tributes

10:30am PDT

Designing the Future: 60 Years of Star Trek Visual Evolution

Friday July 24, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT

Room 10

Star Trek's vision of the future has been shaped as much by its design as its storytelling. From the clean optimism of the original Enterprise to the layered realism of modern Trek, this panel explores how artists and designers have defined the look and meaning of the future across six decades. Using rare materials from the Roddenberry Archive, panelists examine how design choices reflect changing ideas about technology and humanity. Panelists include Holly Amos (Roddenberry Archive), James Kerwin (director/writer, Yesterday Was a Lie, Nonlocality), and Liz Kloczkowski (art director, Star Trek: Picard), moderated by John Champion (Roddenberry Podcasts).

Friday July 24, 2026 10:30am - 11:30am PDT
Room 10

U: Updated, Anniversaries, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television | 1: Programs, Anniversaries, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

7:00pm PDT

Seeking Out New Life and New Civilizations: Star Trek and Real-Life Astronomy

Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT

Room 23ABC

When the Captain of the Enterprise states that the mission is "to explore strange new worlds; to seek out new life and new civilizations; to boldly go where no one has gone before"—what is the real-world translation of such a statement? Science fiction powerhouse Roddenberry Entertainment has brought together some of the preeminent scientists from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and experts in astronomy to break down what making contact with alien civilizations might entail and how we are working to make this science fiction fantasy into a concrete reality. Additionally, exclusive never-before-seen interview footage of Star Trek: First Contact actor James Cromwell (Zephram Cochrane) will be featured to spark the panel discussion on the science-fiction "realities" of making first contact with alien species. Panelists include Rekha Sharma (Ellen Landry, Star Trek: Discovery; Tory Foster, Battlestar Galactica), James Tuttle Keane (co-investigator for the NASA Discovery Io Volcano Observer mission proposal; NASA New Frontiers New Horizons mission science team member), and Jordan Ticktin (aerospace systems engineer), with moderator Tamara Krinsky (Marvel Live; Does it Fly?).

Friday July 24, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 23ABC

U: Updated, Anniversaries, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Technology - Science - STEM, Television | 1: Programs, Anniversaries, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Technology - Science - STEM, Television

10:00am PDT

A Look Back at Comic-Con's Early Years

Saturday July 25, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

A look back at Comic-Con's early years through the memories of those who were there and never-before-seen video. Panelists include moderator and host Scott Smith (electronic publicist; creator of Comic-Con CCTV), co-moderator Anthony Keith, Clayton Moore (original on-air host for Comic-Con TV), Gabriel Wisdom (early Masquerade host, local radio personality), and David Clark (founding member). The panel will feature video from an early Masquerade, including Brinke Stevens' "Funeral for a Friend" performance, The Rocketeer creator Dave Stevens, George Clayton Johnson, Joe Kubert, filmmaker George Pal, and June Foray, along with stories from the original creators of the Con TV experience.

Saturday July 25, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Grand 12 & 13, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

U: Updated, Anniversaries, Comics, Education, Fandom, Historical, Marriott Programs, Television, Tributes | 1: Programs, Anniversaries, Comics, Education, Fandom, Historical, Marriott Programs, Television, Tributes

7:30pm PDT

Star Trek's Future in a Time of Flux

Saturday July 25, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT

Room 7AB

It’s party time for Star Trek's 60th—right in the middle of an inflection point: New owners, evolving audiences, and media platforms in flux. Never has the outside world had as much to do with Star Trek's future as now, it seems—and can traditional genre franchises even survive in today's landscape? Moderator Larry "Dr. Trek" Nemecek (The Trek Files, The Con of Wrath) will brainstorm with a panel of "pro fans" coming from all industry sectors as to just what future Trek storytelling might look like and arrive as. Featuring Ben Betts (supervising engineer, Star Trek: Voyager through Star Trek: Picard), John Champion (producer-host, Roddenberry Podcasts' Mission Log), Dan Hageman (writer-executive producer, Star Trek: Prodigy), Liz Kloczkowski (S2-3 art director and 1701-D bridge hero, Star Trek: Picard), Amber Michaëlle Maher (video assist engineer, Star Trek: Picard), Aviel Mann Ballo (writer assistant, Star Trek: Starfleet Academy), and Steve Welke (producer,Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise).

Saturday July 25, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Room 7AB

U: Updated, Anniversaries, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, Writers & Writing | 1: Programs, Anniversaries, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, Writers & Writing